ANALYSIS July 27, 2010

Hinduism

There is no official Hindu position on same-sex marriage. Some Hindus condemn the practice of homosexuality, but others cite ancient Hindu texts, such as the Kama Sutra, that describe homosexual behavior.

Buddhism

There is no universal Buddhist position on same-sex marriage. According to some interpretations of the Buddha’s teachings, one of the 10 non-virtuous deeds that lead to suffering is “sexual misconduct.” This term is generally understood to refer primarily to adultery. However, some Buddhists interpret the term to include homosexuality.

Christian

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops opposes same-sex marriage on the ground that “marriage is a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman.” In 2003, the conference stated that “what are called ‘homosexual unions’ [cannot be given the status of marriage] because they do not express full human complementarity and because they are inherently nonprocreative.” And in 2006, the conference reaffirmed its previously stated support for a federal marriage amendment (a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman).